Box Set #3: The Serenity Deception: [The 4 book 3rd Adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood]

by Robert Iannone

  “Excellent question. It really only allows you to glide. The wearer jumps off a cliff or some such structure and can fly or glide for a very long distance. When he wants to land, he deploys a parasail. It is an extraordinary thrill.”

  “You’ve done it?”

  “About thirty years ago . . . when I was still young and foolhardy. But, it was the greatest experience of my life. The sense of freedom is beyond description. I started too late in the sport and my age soon caught up to me. It’s one of the few regrets that I have in growing old. It’s hard for people to understand what I felt. I’m sure you think I’m just a foolish man without the sense God gave him.”

  “On the contrary. I absolutely understand what you are saying. And, I fully appreciate how much you miss it.”

  “You make it sound like you’ve done it.”

  “I did . . . but not exactly this way. But the experience was similar.”

  “Really? Tell me about it?”

  “I can’t Ezra. It’s . . . it’s classified”. The way she said it could make a person infer that it was a military secret. It wasn’t, of course . . . but she couldn’t be responsible if that’s what the man thought.

  “Okay. I think I can understand the secrecy. Regardless, all I can say is I’m even more attracted to you now than I was five minutes ago. And I was really attracted to you then.”

  Such words deserved a reward and Grammy leaned over and gave Ezra a kiss . . . just a brush of the lips really. Unsatisfied, he pulled her closer and gave her a proper kiss.

  “Oh my.”

  “That bad?”

  “You know darn well it was ‘that good”.

  “Yeah, I do” he teased.

  Grammy picked up an empty water bottle and threw it at him.

  Ezra caught it in mid-air . . . apparently age had not slowed down his reflexes. “If you’re finished inflicting bodily harm on this poor, defenseless man . . .”

  “Hah, defenseless.”

  “Just being modest. So, Eloise, tell me something about you . . . something from your past that you don’t normal share with others.”

  Grammy looked down at her hands as she gathered her thoughts. “How do you think a professional athlete feels when he has to hang up his spikes, so to speak?”

  Ezra was surprised by the question. “Well, if he . . . or she . . . had a great career, I suppose they would feel pride and perhaps some regret that the glory days are over. If they hadn’t accomplished all they had hoped to accomplish while playing, then they would probably feel sadness.” He paused to study Grammy’s face. “Why do you ask? Did you have the opportunity to compete?”

  “I once had the chance to do what no one in the world had ever done. Had I succeeded, I would have had the opportunity to help some individuals in great need of that help. But I failed. My only solace is that someone I dearly love – love more than my own life –did succeed. And, in a very small way, I helped. I got to share in a tiny piece of that success.”

  Ezra took only a few seconds to respond. “So now you have mixed emotions – sad that you didn’t meet the challenge but incredibly proud that this . . . someone . . . did. And . . . and you feel a little guilty. Wishing that you succeeded means that your ‘someone’ would never have had his or her chance to do the impossible – or at least the improbable.”

  Grammy cupped her mouth with her hand at Ezra’s words. He had just articulated exactly the feeling she had been suppressing for these last four or five years. Her dreams of helping Dazzle would mean that Egg would never have flown. Would never have been Flying Girl. Would never have experienced the mind-boggling adventures that she did. That thought sent a stab of pain through her heart. She would rather die than take any of it away from her beloved granddaughter.

  To her horror, she realized she was crying. Ezra slid closer and put his arms around her shoulders. She nestled her head on his chest . . . enjoying the comfort in his touch.

  It took a few minutes to regain her composure. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “For what?”

  “For understanding what I was feeling. For putting your arms around me. For giving me a few minutes . . . in silence. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you have an extraordinary feminine side.”

  “I promise you that – if I do – it’s only a recent development. So, is there anything you want to share?” He was referring to whatever experience Grammy hadn’t succeeded at.

  “Anything – no. Everything –yes. But . . . I can’t. I would be violating a trust if I did. However, there may come a time when I can. So, please be patient with me.”

  “Of course. Answer me this . . . when you do finally share this secret with me – and I have the feeling it also has to do with your fit of laughter when we talked about flying – will I be impressed? Or shocked? Or surprised?”

  “I can assure you that it will be all three – impressed, shocked and surprised. In fact, throw in amazed, flabbergasted, dumbfounded, astonished and overwhelmed.”

  Ezra chuckled. “What in the world could do all that?”

  Grammy returned the chuckle. “Who said it was ‘in the world’.” She stood up and brushed her pants. “Why don’t we head back? I think I want you to impress me with that gourmet talent you bragged about.”

  “Lady, be prepared for a meal that will delight the senses . . . the presentation for the eyes, the aroma for the nose, the taste for the palate.”

  “I’m shocked. Nothing for my ears?”

  “Hmmm . . . how about a side order of Rice Krispies. I’m told they snap, crackle and pop.”

  Chapter 7 – Tee for Two, Two for Tee

  “Tee’ka?”

  “It is I, Egg.”

  Egg didn’t move. She was trying to understand what was going on . . . if it might be a trick. After all, she had seen Tee eaten by the T. Rex. And where was Mysteria? And how did Tee’ka get into this body? Befuddled, the best she could come up with was “prove it.”

  The other girl reached for her mask and pulled it off.

  Egg moved closer. It was Mysteria’s body and hair . . . but the mouth and nose were definitely Tee’ka’s. Even the eyes were the right shape though she didn’t remember the girl had blue ones.

  With all the strange and downright weird things that had happened on this planet, she was still suspicious. “That doesn’t prove anything.”

  “When you pulled me aside, you asked me to put a copy of myself in Spirit’s ship’s computer. If you had not, I would not be standing here now. For that, and for all your love and friendship, I can only say thank you one more time.”

  Certainly sounded like Tee’ka . . . but this version of her, if it was her, didn’t have the wand. No wand, no tip. No tip, no way to see if it was red. “Whoever used to mess with your programming and turn your wand red could still be doing it.”

  “I understand your reluctance to believe me; and I commend you for your caution, but, it is truly me and I believe I can set your mind at ease. First, look at your sisters . . .,” and she pointed to the pile of avatars strewn on the ground.

  “OH MY GOSH,” and Egg started to run to them.

  “Egg, stop. You were right . . . those were not your friends. They are replicas.”

  “But I tested them with a mirror like you said.”

  “These are much more advanced. They are avatars . . . replicas made with living tissue. However, they are created with no mind, no memories. Whoever made them, gave each the personality of your real sister.”

  “Who would do that? The Big Cheese?”

  “No. Serenity.”

  It took a moment for that to sink in. “WHAT? WHY?”

  “I have no answer for you. No one knew she had returned. I cannot understand why she would treat you and the Sisterhood the way she has.”

  “How do you know it’s her?”

  “That explanation is more complicated and I will get to it shortly. First, I believe that there is something of yours that needs to be returned.” She pointe
d the staff at Egg and the girl cringed involuntarily when a flash of light engulfed her.

  After it dissipated, Egg was wearing her flying suit. She immediately leapt into the air . . . just to be sure it was working. And it was.

  She landed . . . this time just in front of Tee’ka. “Epic. Thank you.” Not yet completely convinced, she decided to go with her gut feeling. She reached out, grabbed Tee’ka, and gave her a warm, long hug.

  “Egg . . .”

  Still with her arms around the other girl, Egg answered, “Yeah?”

  “Five seconds, ten tops.” She, of course, was referring to the time she first hugged Egg and was told that there was a limit to how long a hug should last.

  Egg pulled back, stared at her friend then giggled. “You’re such a goof.”

  “I would never take that honor away from you,” and she laughed at her own cleverness.

  “So, where are my sisters?” That sounded awful and she rephrased it. “I mean, where are our friends? Are they okay?”

  Tee’ka stared at the other girl . . . truly amazed. “I have never met an individual such as you. Your empathy for others is remarkable.”

  “Say what?”

  “You rephrased the question to include me. Your compassion, your understanding, for those you call friend is beyond anything I have ever encountered.”

  “Tee, shut up. If it’s really you, you should know I hate when people talk that way.”

  “I do. But . . .,” she grinned and it looked beautiful on her face, “learn to live with it.” Egg’s eyes went wide in surprise. Tee’ka pulled her close for another hug . . . lasting exactly five seconds.

  “If you’re finished being mushy . . .”

  “Sorry. Your sisters and my friends are on Serenity’s spaceship. They appear to be unharmed but she is holding them against their will. I believe they could use our help.” She emphasized the word ‘our’.

  “Do you know where the ship is? I can fly us there.”

  “No need. I still have Mysteria’s staff.”

  “By the way, where is she?”

  “She, like Sera’Fina, was an avatar created by Serenity. As I said, though she seemed to be a living, sentient person, she was not. She was a programmed . . . robot, if you will. I erased that programming and inserted the copy of myself from Spirit’s ship into her brain. I now have a real body,” and her smile lit up her face.

  “Well, you look terrific. But you can tell me the rest of the story after we rescue the others.”

  *****

  They materialized just outside the control room so they could assess the situation before they confronted Serenity. Egg crept to the door and peered in. A moment later she laughed. Her six sisters would have jumped out of their seats if they weren’t strapped in.

  “S’up,” she said to the six bound girls.

  That was greeted with a chorus of a half dozen “EGGs.”

  Then ‘Mysteria-turned-Tee’ka’ walked in and the bound girls fell deathly silent. They were all thinking the same thing – their sister was a prisoner just like them.

  But Egg didn’t seem in distress. In fact, she seemed downright happy. “You guys been having fun?”

  “Egg, what’s going on? Why is she here?”

  “She is my dear friend and yours, if I might say so.”

  “Are you nuts?”

  Egg turned to her companion who was once again wearing her mask. “Show them.”

  Without speaking since they would surely recognize her voice, the girl unmasked and walked in front of the others so they could get a good look at her face.

  The girls stared . . . the face was certainly different than the one they had seen on their screens. It was BreeZee who connected the dots. “Tee’ka? Is it you?”

  “What are you talking about?” asked Bl’azzz. To dragons and sea serpents, all humans kind of looked the same. To discern the difference in the girl’s nose, mouth and eyes would have been beyond their ability.

  Tee’ka glanced at Egg who nodded yes. The girl turned back to BreeZee, and without saying a word, pointed the staff weapon at her and fired. Six girls screamed.

  But, when the flash died away, BreeZee was free of her restraints. She stood up, removed the weird helmet that Serenity had put on all of them then walked up Tee’ka and gave her hug. After the appropriate three of four seconds, she pulled back and said (with a grin), “That was wicked of you. You could have scared me senseless.”

  “It was meant to be a joke, but I must confess that humor is an art form that I am still attempting to master. I’m sorry to have frightened you.”

  “Enough of your jibber-jabber. Get me out of this thing,” squawked Aeri’elle.

  “Gotcha, big bird,” and Egg freed the dragon. Meanwhile, BreeZee released Soo and Bl’azzz while Tee’ka took care of Sylvia and Spirit. They all did as the Wind’dancer had done and removed their annoying helmets.

  That left poor Jynx holding Serenity with her eight arms.

  Egg walked over to the Shamie, knelt down and gave her a hug. “What’cha got here, Jynxie?”

  “Grrrrrr. Burp.”

  “Yeah. You said it.” She stood back up and studied Serenity. “I’m guessing they’re afraid you’re going to do something nasty if they free you. But . . .,” she called over her shoulder. “Hey, Tee, think you could zap her before she does anything bad?”

  “Easily, Egg.”

  “Okay, Jynx, you can let her go.”

  The Shamie immediately morphed back into her normal shape, looked over at Spirit to make sure she was alright, then found a quiet corner to lie down and fall asleep. She was snoring in less than a minute.

  “My name is Egg, but I guess you already knew that.”

  “Of course I did, you stup . . .”

  Egg cut her off with a shake of the head. “Be nice.”

  Serenity took a deep breath to get herself under control. She was steaming mad . . . she had lost. She had lost to this simpleton. It was humiliating. “You were lucky.”

  Egg laughed. “You’d be surprised how often that happens. A little luck, a terrific new friend (she pointed at Tee’ka), a sensational and I might add super-cuddly shape shifter . . . and presto, it all worked out for the best. Um, our best not yours.”

  Serenity wanted to vomit. This girl kept playing the modesty card over and over again just for the sake of the others. When would they learn? “So you take no credit?”

  “I don’t deserve any.” She said it as if it should be obvious.

  “What about sensing that the avatars weren’t your real sisters?”

  “Tee said they were like programmed robots. Well, you just didn’t do a great job of it. They did things my real sisters would never do. But even though I guessed there was something different about them, I still wasn’t sure of the what or how of it. I thought that you had taken over their brains or something. I could never have figured out they were pod people.”

  “Pod people?”

  “Earth movie. It’s not important. What is important is that Tee and Jynx saved my sorry butt. Without them, you’d have won.”

  “So you admit you had nothing to do with the victory? What kind of leader does that make you?”

  Before Egg could answer, Tee’ka said, “That makes her an extraordinary leader. She befriended me for no other reason than she cared. She asked Jynx for help when the problem looked unsolvable . . . recognizing she didn’t have the answer but was willing to accept the input from another. She knows her sisters so well that even though your programming would have made your mother proud, she could detect the slight differences. I, for one, would follow this young woman anywhere in the universe. If . . .” but she didn’t finish.

  Serenity had stopped listening when she heard the reference to her mother. To compare her own accomplishments to hers was the greatest compliment she could ever hope to receive. She sat there fighting back the urge to cry.

  “Finish what you were saying, Tee.”

  The girl just smiled
and shook her head no.

  Sylvia did it for her. “If she were a sister and if she could leave this world”.

  “Oh. I forgot about that part . . . about leaving this planet. Sorry, Tee. I really am.”

  Aeri’elle reminded her, “Remember, when we get back, I’m going to put all of the resources of the university on the problem. We will figure it out; I promise.”

  “Aeri’elle, you really have to hurry,” added Egg. “If they developed a better . . . um . . . a better hostess, they will . . . um.” She couldn’t say it.

  “They will deactivate me. Thank you, Aeri’elle. I do appreciate the effort.” The other six sisters looked from one to another in horror at that statement, but said nothing.

  Changing the subject, Egg asked Serenity, “I know about the explosion that did this to you,” and she pointed at the girl in the wheel chair, “but couldn’t they at least fix your eye?”

  Serenity was still fighting her emotions and all she could do was mumble, “No, it was too badly damaged.”

  Egg turned to Spirit. “Could you fix her?”

  “After all she’s done to us?”

  “No harm, no foul. Besides, it was a good contest and no one . . . um, no one living anyway, got hurt.”

  “Serenity, may I try?”

  The one eyed girl lost control and started to sob. She had tried her best to defeat this girl and now Egg was trying to help her. There was nothing to gain so why do it? Unless . . . unless it was implicit in her nature. Could it be that it was never an act? How stupid she, Serenity, was. How embarrassed she’d be if her mother had seen this.

  Tee’ka understood. She knew of the bond between mother and daughter. “Serenity, your mother may have disapproved of your motives, but she would have been bursting with pride over your methods. On a scientific level, you were every bit as good as she was. Unfortunately, your premise was faulty . . . based on insufficient and incorrectly interpreted data. Make her proud now. Accept your mistake and move on. Apply your gifts where they would do the most good.”